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Education Randomised Controlled Trials (EDUC91017)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2020
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
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The aim of this subject is to enable students to understand and apply the principles of design and analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) within the educational context. The subject provides a comprehensive introduction to trial design features used to limit bias, essential aspects of trial design, conduct, analysis and reporting, and challenges and solutions for conducting RCTs within the education context. At the end of the subject, it is expected that students will be able to contribute effectively to the planning, conduct and reporting of an RCT within an education context.
Throughout the subject, the emphasis will be on practical issues faced by researchers in the conduct of RCTs in education, and participants will be provided with skills to design and conduct rigorous RCTs in this research area. This subject covers: when is an RCT design appropriate, ethical considerations, principles and methods of randomisation in controlled trials, types of RCTs, allocation to groups, outcome measurements, understanding implementation and process measures, cost-analysis, statistical approaches, data interpretation and reporting.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Describe and critically evaluate the purpose and role of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in education, drawing upon existing theories and professional viewpoints
- Critically review and evaluate the design and findings from existing randomised controlled trials in education settings
- Understand the fundamental features of RCTs, why they exist and how quality of these features is represented during the design, conduct and reporting stages
- Design and communicate the features of RCTs for a specific education intervention/strategy/program
Generic skills
This subject develops the following transferable skills:
- Be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning
- Examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines
- Commitment to professional and academic ethics and excellence
- Ability to set personal targets and plan to achieve them.
- Highly developed independent learning
- Ability to read critically and present material concisely and coherently in relevant written presentations.
Last updated: 10 February 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 10 February 2024
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Online quiz 1 (15 MCQ)
| Mid teaching period | 15% |
Online quiz 2 (15 MCQ)
| End of the teaching period | 15% |
Research proposal
| End of the assessment period | 70% |
Hurdle requirement: A minimum of 80% attendance at all seminars, tutorials and workshops | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 10 February 2024
Dates & times
Not available in 2020
Last updated: 10 February 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Modern Languages Education Course Master of TESOL Course Master of Education - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 10 February 2024